Arkansas Blog

I don't know how the fares could get any higher. I was checking on flights for a summer trip and Little Rock was $200 and $300 more expensive than the surrounding metro airports like Memphis, St. Louis and Nashville.
If I can save $300 by driving to Nashville and get a direct flight with no layover. Not only is it cheaper, but faster since the five-hour drive is offset by the six hours stuck in Houston or Charlotte or Chicago.

When I first read about the Bankruptcy, all I could say was "i'm not surprised." I have avoided Delta for almost 7 years. On the few flights I have used them of late, they are routinely 25%-35% more expensive, longer travel schedules, and in my experience, late.

I had to laugh at your description of those things you find objectionable about Delta. Fill in the blank, and you're talking about every airline in the country. I used to travel extensively with my job. Not so much anymore. And, the primary reason is that the entirety of the U.S. airline industry treats its customers with contempt. We're just a conduit to bring in revenue - nothing more. I've come close to throwing objects through my TV screen when I happen along A&E's "Airline" series...the one that consistently depicts customers as unreasonable and implies airline employees walk on water. Customer service is an extinct concept with the industry. It was bad before 9/11, and has become worse since. Plus, now, we have the added insult of the draconian measures we have to endure in the name of "security". Now, if I have to make a trip that's less than about 10 hours drive - I hop in the car. My goal for the rest of my life is to give the airline industry as little money as possible.

A co-worker tells the company's travel agent his airline preference is "Not Delta" but then he had three consecutive trips with lost luggage on Delta.

My experiences have been OK. My only beef was seeing them upgrade a guy who was clearly drunk to first class to keep an eye on him rather than denying boarding. And then there was the time when a trip was going great and had a long layover in Atlanta. Asked to move to an earlier flight that wasn't full. "No we can't get your bags on the flight". That's OK I'm headed home I can swing back out and pick them up. "No you have to fly with your bags".

Arrive at Little Rock can't find my bags. They are in the baggage office because one of the baggage handlers saw they were headed to LR and threw them on the first flight headed that way. I'd have been better flying in my luggage.

Our booking agent complains about it but I fly SW any place I can. It saves us money and rarely encounter anyone who isn't nice and helpful.

You've got that right, Nom.

I got to where I'd do or say anything not to fly on business - childcare issue, no budget, calendar conflict. Put me on a conference call and the powerpoint deck on the web, and I'm good.

The worst part of going on vacation is flying to get where you're going. We went to London and Rome not that long ago. On the US carrier flights, we were all presumed terrorists and I figure we'd have been shot if we got near the cockpit. On British Air, the crew laughed at the US obsession and then let my kid sit in the pilot's seat while we took pictures.

And within the US, Little Rock security is some of the most intrusive you'll find.

I agree, Delta has had the attitude of we are the only game in town on many routes out of Little Rock. Last week's walkup to Atlanta was over 600!!They have the attitude also of we don't have to care.Interesting that Southwest had a Ding! fare last week from LR to LAX of 74 plus tax.I don't see any advantage of flying Delta, Southwest has more service in "coach": and will give you the whole can of cola gladly , whereas on the last Delta flight I got snarled at when I asked for it.Delta isn't ready when you are any more.And don't ask about Northworst!

As far as Little Rock goes it's best to keep Delta separate. USAir flies direct to Charlotte and Delta's hub is in Atlanta but they also provide service to Cincinatti and Orlando to LR. Merger might eliminate one or more of these flights.

For those of you griping about LR flights being higher than Memphis - umm, no. There's a commuter shuttle that connects LR and Memphis full of travelers from Memphis flying via LIT because of cheaper fares. Why? Memphis is dominated by Northwest and lacks discount carriers like Southwest and has high fares because of this. Even DFW has higher fares than Little Rock - it's usually cheaper to connect than drive to Dallas (the same is true of most Texas airports as well). I was shocked when I moved to Dallas at how much more it costs, though the Wright Amendment modifications will help. American is just too dominant in the market. LR is blessed with multiple carriers and a heavy presence from discount carriers (Southwest and Frontier) and that competition keeps prices low and gives us more direct flights than we deserve. Look at XNA sometime. It serves a fair number of airports but man are flights out of there high.

I can't imagine paying those prices for flights. We fly a couple times a year and always do the Priceline or Orbitz thing. It has its drawbacks but we also usually pay about half what regular fares are.

Just wanted to add, yes Memphis is in a lockdown by NW.With the Wright Amendment basically going away,you will find even now a lot of direct service from Dallas Love at really low fares.Delta does have service yes to Orlando and more, but most are on small 50-70 seat RJ's and are very uncomfortable if you're more than 6 ft or 200 lbs for the most part.